‘Jelena’ witch hazel
‘Jelena’ witch hazel’s copper-orange flowers add cheer in winter. Get a close look at the fragrant blooms, which appear in late winter to early spring, in the inset. They may seem delicate but the flowers can take the cold and look good for several weeks unless temps drop below 20 degrees F or strong winds blow them off.
Oval, slightly hairy, green leaves emerge in spring after the flowers fade and look good all summer. Then, in autumn, the foliage turns a lovely blend of red and yellow. A small tree, ‘Jelena’ will fit into nearly any size yard and gets even more stunning with age.
Add a layer of organic mulch or grow a ground cover beneath it so the soil stays moist and cool. And there’s no need for pruning, except for suckers, or the vertical stems growing from the base of the tree. Cut these to the ground when you see them, so they don’t take energy away from the tree.
Type Small tree or large shrub
Blooms Fragrant, copper-orange flowers in late winter to early spring
Light Full sun to part shade
Soil Moist, well-drained, acid
Pests None serious
Size 10 to 12 ft. tall and wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 5 to 8
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 8 to 1
Source Lazy S’S Farm Nursery
